Patents by Inventor Steve Nowak

Steve Nowak has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20250000501
    Abstract: A retractor system can include a ring frame and a clamp. The ring frame can include a first ring segment and a second ring segment detachably joined to a first ring segment at a joint. The joint can be contained within a cross section of the ring frame that corresponds to a cutting plane perpendicular to an outer surface of the ring frame. The clamp can include an adjustment screw and a first set of jaws and a second set of jaws. The first set of jaws and second set of jaws can define a first aperture configured to receive the ring frame. Rotation of the adjustment screw in a tightening direction can cause the first set of jaws to engage the outer surface of the ring frame and apply a first clamping force to the outer surface of the ring frame received by the first aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2024
    Publication date: January 2, 2025
    Inventors: Steve Nowak, Travis Witulski, Christopher T. Martin
  • Patent number: 12161310
    Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor arm and a retractor blade attached to the retractor arm via a swivel gear of a retractor blade connector. The retractor blade includes an attachment post extending through a port of the swivel gear. The retractor blade connector further includes a swivel gear detent and a plunger. The swivel gear detent is positioned to selectively engage the swivel gear and prevent the swivel gear and attached retractor blade from rotating about the rotational axis. The plunger is movable among at least a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the plunger urges the swivel gear detent into engagement with the swivel gear and prevents rotation of the swivel gear and attached retractor blade about the rotational axis. In the unlocked position, the plunger permits the swivel gear and attached retractor blade to rotate past the swivel gear detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Steve Nowak
  • Patent number: 12161515
    Abstract: A joint clamp for a surgical retractor system includes clamps, a cam bolt, and a cam lever. The cam bolt passes through the clamps. A cam lever comprising a cam head pivotally attached an upper portion the cam bolt to permit rotation about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cam bolt. The cam head includes an outer surface that results in a distance between the pivot axis and an upper surface of the clamps being greater when the cam lever is rotated about the pivot axis to a clamping position than when the cam lever is rotated about the pivot axis to a non-clamping position. The clamping force may be calibrated or set via a cam bolt having an adjustable length and/or via a setting screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Steve Nowak
  • Patent number: 12150634
    Abstract: A joint clamp for a surgical retractor system includes a knob, a lower clamp, one or more upper clamps between the lower clamp and the knob, and a bolt that passes through the one or more upper clamps. The lower clamp includes a spring, an upper portion, a lower portion pivotally coupled to the upper portion, and a clamping passage that passes laterally through the upper and lower portions of the lower clamp. The bolt includes a bolt upper portion coupled to the knob and a lower portion secured to the upper portion of the lower clamp. The spring exerts a biasing force on the lower portion of the lower clamp that pivots threads of the lower clamp toward the upper portion of the lower clamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2024
    Assignee: THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Chris Martin, Steve Nowak
  • Publication number: 20240325012
    Abstract: A joint clamp for a surgical retractor system includes clamps, a cam bolt, and a cam lever. The cam bolt passes through the clamps. A cam lever comprising a cam head pivotally attached an upper portion the cam bolt to permit rotation between a locked position and an unlocked positions. The joint clamp may include springs which provide a scissors clamp of the clamps with a clip-on feature in which the scissors clamp may clipped-on and clipped-off an object such as a frame member, table post, or retractor handle. The springs may further prevent or reduce a rising movement of the clamps when the cam lever rotates from an unlocked state to a locked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2024
    Publication date: October 3, 2024
    Inventor: Steve Nowak
  • Patent number: 12106759
    Abstract: Implementations set forth herein relate to a system that employs an automated assistant to further interactions between a user and another application, which can provide the automated assistant with permission to initialize relevant application actions simultaneous to the user interacting with the other application. Furthermore, the system can allow the automated assistant to initialize actions of different applications, despite being actively operating a particular application. Available actions can be gleaned by the automated assistant using various application-specific schemas, which can be compared with incoming requests from a user to the automated assistant. Additional data, such as context and historical interactions, can also be used to rank and identify a suitable application action to be initialized via the automated assistant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: GOOGLE LLC
    Inventors: Denis Burakov, Behshad Behzadi, Mario Bertschler, Bohdan Vlasyuk, Daniel Cotting, Michael Golikov, Lucas Mirelmann, Steve Cheng, Sergey Nazarov, Zaheed Sabur, Marcin Nowak-Przygodzki, Mugurel Ionut Andreica, Radu Voroneanu
  • Patent number: 12070200
    Abstract: A retractor system can include a ring frame and a clamp. The ring frame can include a first ring segment and a second ring segment detachably joined to a first ring segment at a joint. The joint can be contained within a cross section of the ring frame that corresponds to a cutting plane perpendicular to an outer surface of the ring frame. The clamp can include an adjustment screw and a first set of jaws and a second set of jaws. The first set of jaws and second set of jaws can define a first aperture configured to receive the ring frame. Rotation of the adjustment screw in a tightening direction can cause the first set of jaws to engage the outer surface of the ring frame and apply a first clamping force to the outer surface of the ring frame received by the first aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2024
    Assignee: THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Steve Nowak, Travis Witulski, Christopher T. Martin
  • Patent number: 12004733
    Abstract: A joint clamp for a surgical retractor system includes clamps, a cam bolt, and a cam lever. The cam bolt passes through the clamps. A cam lever comprising a cam head pivotally attached an upper portion the cam bolt to permit rotation between a locked position and an unlocked positions. The joint clamp may include springs which provide a scissors clamp of the clamps with a clip-on feature in which the scissors clamp may clipped-on and clipped-off an object such as a frame member, table post, or retractor handle. The springs may further prevent or reduce a rising movement of the clamps when the cam lever rotates from an unlocked state to a locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Steve Nowak
  • Publication number: 20230320715
    Abstract: A joint clamp for a surgical retractor system includes a knob, a lower clamp, one or more upper clamps between the lower clamp and the knob, and a bolt that passes through the one or more upper clamps. The lower clamp includes a spring, an upper portion, a lower portion pivotally coupled to the upper portion, and a clamping passage that passes laterally through the upper and lower portions of the lower clamp. The bolt includes a bolt upper portion coupled to the knob and a lower portion secured to the upper portion of the lower clamp. The spring exerts a biasing force on the lower portion of the lower clamp that pivots threads of the lower clamp toward the upper portion of the lower clamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2022
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Inventors: Chris Martin, Steve Nowak
  • Publication number: 20230248344
    Abstract: A joint clamp for a surgical retractor system includes clamps, a cam bolt, and a cam lever. The cam bolt passes through the clamps. A cam lever comprising a cam head pivotally attached an upper portion the cam bolt to permit rotation between a locked position and an unlocked positions. The joint clamp may include springs which provide a scissors clamp of the clamps with a clip-on feature in which the scissors clamp may clipped-on and clipped-off an object such as a frame member, table post, or retractor handle. The springs may further prevent or reduce a rising movement of the clamps when the cam lever rotates from an unlocked state to a locked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2023
    Publication date: August 10, 2023
    Inventor: Steve Nowak
  • Publication number: 20230172685
    Abstract: A joint clamp for a surgical retractor system includes clamps, a cam bolt, and a cam lever. The cam bolt passes through the clamps. A cam lever comprising a cam head pivotally attached an upper portion the cam bolt to permit rotation about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cam bolt. The cam head includes an outer surface that results in a distance between the pivot axis and an upper surface of the clamps being greater when the cam lever is rotated about the pivot axis to a clamping position than when the cam lever is rotated about the pivot axis to a non-clamping position. The clamping force may be calibrated or set via a cam bolt having an adjustable length and/or via a setting screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2022
    Publication date: June 8, 2023
    Inventor: Steve Nowak
  • Patent number: 11633180
    Abstract: A joint clamp for a surgical retractor system includes clamps, a cam bolt, and a cam lever. The cam bolt passes through the clamps. A cam lever comprising a cam head pivotally attached an upper portion the cam bolt to permit rotation between a locked position and an unlocked positions. The joint clamp may include springs which provide a scissors clamp of the clamps with a clip-on feature in which the scissors clamp may clipped-on and clipped-off an object such as a frame member, table post, or retractor handle. The springs may further prevent or reduce a rising movement of the clamps when the cam lever rotates from an unlocked state to a locked state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2023
    Assignee: Thompson Surgical Instruments, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Nowak
  • Publication number: 20230098104
    Abstract: A joint clamp for a surgical retractor system includes clamps, a cam bolt, and a cam lever. The cam bolt passes through the clamps. A cam lever comprising a cam head pivotally attached an upper portion the cam bolt to permit rotation between a locked position and an unlocked positions. The joint clamp may include springs which provide a scissors clamp of the clamps with a clip-on feature in which the scissors clamp may clipped-on and clipped-off an object such as a frame member, table post, or retractor handle. The springs may further prevent or reduce a rising movement of the clamps when the cam lever rotates from an unlocked state to a locked state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2021
    Publication date: March 30, 2023
    Inventor: Steve Nowak
  • Publication number: 20220401093
    Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor arm and a retractor blade attached to the retractor arm via a swivel gear of a retractor blade connector. The retractor blade includes an attachment post extending through a port of the swivel gear. The retractor blade connector further includes a swivel gear detent and a plunger. The swivel gear detent is positioned to selectively engage the swivel gear and prevent the swivel gear and attached retractor blade from rotating about the rotational axis. The plunger is movable among at least a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the plunger urges the swivel gear detent into engagement with the swivel gear and prevents rotation of the swivel gear and attached retractor blade about the rotational axis. In the unlocked position, the plunger permits the swivel gear and attached retractor blade to rotate past the swivel gear detent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2022
    Publication date: December 22, 2022
    Inventor: Steve Nowak
  • Patent number: 11523876
    Abstract: A joint clamp for a surgical retractor system includes clamps, a cam bolt, and a cam lever. The cam bolt passes through the clamps. A cam lever comprising a cam head pivotally attached an upper portion the cam bolt to permit rotation about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cam bolt. The cam head includes an outer surface that results in a distance between the pivot axis and an upper surface of the clamps being greater when the cam lever is rotated about the pivot axis to a clamping position than when the cam lever is rotated about the pivot axis to a non-clamping position. The clamping force may be calibrated or set via a cam bolt having an adjustable length and/or via a setting screw.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Steve Nowak
  • Patent number: 11375989
    Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor arm and a retractor blade attached to the retractor arm via a swivel gear of a retractor blade connector. The retractor blade includes an attachment post extending through a port of the swivel gear. The retractor blade connector further includes a swivel gear detent and a plunger. The swivel gear detent is positioned to selectively engage the swivel gear and prevent the swivel gear and attached retractor blade from rotating about the rotational axis. The plunger is movable among at least a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the plunger urges the swivel gear detent into engagement with the swivel gear and prevents rotation of the swivel gear and attached retractor blade about the rotational axis. In the unlocked position, the plunger permits the swivel gear and attached retractor blade to rotate past the swivel gear detent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventor: Steve Nowak
  • Publication number: 20220000467
    Abstract: A retractor system can include a ring frame and a clamp. The ring frame can include a first ring segment and a second ring segment detachably joined to a first ring segment at a joint. The joint can be contained within a cross section of the ring frame that corresponds to a cutting plane perpendicular to an outer surface of the ring frame. The clamp can include an adjustment screw and a first set of jaws and a second set of jaws. The first set of jaws and second set of jaws can define a first aperture configured to receive the ring frame. Rotation of the adjustment screw in a tightening direction can cause the first set of jaws to engage the outer surface of the ring frame and apply a first clamping force to the outer surface of the ring frame received by the first aperture.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2021
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Steve Nowak, Travis Witulski, Christopher T. Martin
  • Publication number: 20210330420
    Abstract: A joint clamp for a surgical retractor system includes clamps, a cam bolt, and a cam lever. The cam bolt passes through the clamps. A cam lever comprising a cam head pivotally attached an upper portion the cam bolt to permit rotation about a pivot axis that is perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the cam bolt. The cam head includes an outer surface that results in a distance between the pivot axis and an upper surface of the clamps being greater when the cam lever is rotated about the pivot axis to a clamping position than when the cam lever is rotated about the pivot axis to a non-clamping position. The clamping force may be calibrated or set via a cam bolt having an adjustable length and/or via a setting screw.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventor: Steve Nowak
  • Patent number: 11123056
    Abstract: A retractor system can include a ring frame and a clamp. The ring frame can include a first ring segment and a second ring segment detachably joined to a first ring segment at a joint. The joint can be contained within a cross section of the ring frame that corresponds to a cutting plane perpendicular to an outer surface of the ring frame. The clamp can include an adjustment screw and a first set of jaws and a second set of jaws. The first set of jaws and second set of jaws can define a first aperture configured to receive the ring frame. Rotation of the adjustment screw in a tightening direction can cause the first set of jaws to engage the outer surface of the ring frame and apply a first clamping force to the outer surface of the ring frame received by the first aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: THOMPSON SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS, INC.
    Inventors: Steve Nowak, Travis Witulski, Christopher T. Martin
  • Publication number: 20210169462
    Abstract: A retractor system includes a retractor arm and a retractor blade attached to the retractor arm via a swivel gear of a retractor blade connector. The retractor blade includes an attachment post extending through a port of the swivel gear. The retractor blade connector further includes a swivel gear detent and a plunger. The swivel gear detent is positioned to selectively engage the swivel gear and prevent the swivel gear and attached retractor blade from rotating about the rotational axis. The plunger is movable among at least a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the plunger urges the swivel gear detent into engagement with the swivel gear and prevents rotation of the swivel gear and attached retractor blade about the rotational axis. In the unlocked position, the plunger permits the swivel gear and attached retractor blade to rotate past the swivel gear detent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2019
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventor: Steve Nowak